How to shoot in a dark restaurant?

[motomedic23]

I'm doing my first job this weekend: I've been hired (being paid with free dinner) to take photos for a beni hana like restaurant. They need a new brochure, and I told them I could do the photo taking job.

Equipment: Nikon D5000 with 35mm 1.8, I have an extra shoe flash, standard kit lens (probably leave at home), 70-300 4-5.6 (probably leave at home)

Challenge: The person I talked to said the restaurant will be a little dark, but there will be some light; I'm not sure what type of lighting will be in the room, but it wont be super bright. I'm hoping that the 1.8 will be fast enough for what they need.

The Chef's are going to be doing tricks while cooking the food. I've never photographed a chef in action before; what do you recommend? Any tips?

[quekbc]

Ignore me. Should've read the post properly. Sorry.

[kristenh]

strictly an amateur here, but i think its gonna be hard w/o any additional lighting. i went to a place like that once (only once b/c the food is baaaad and you are not getting paid enough with a free meal ). maybe maybe the 1.8 would be okay if you can bump the iso wayyy up- but the chefs will be moving- and based on my similar attempts with kids in low light situations- you are just not going to get the shutter speed you need using available light. how to solve the problem i don't know, but it sounds like a major challenge to me. can you borrow some lighting equipment?

ps i think there is a whole forum dedicated to lighting on this site- may want to post there.

[Michael_2010]

I don't have a clue, but I bet some tight shots of those chefs twirling their knives could set your photos apart from the standard stuff. Might want to reconsider leaving that 70-300 at home.

The main kitchen will probably have some bright lights. You could stage some plated food in there and later add those shots to a montage of sorts. Let us know how this works out and post a few of your shots.

[salmarproductions]

I have had the opportunity to do a number of these shoots and you will find :

1.With a f1.8 lens you will have more opportunities for shots then you might realize the f3.5 lens will have little use for - but you can get creative with your camera flash.
2. Bring a tripod - use when ever possible as well as in the most darken areas.
3, Note that a light is usually over the chef at the cooking table that they work at... and be aware they usually do a large fire flash during a sitting and is a great opportunity for shots of the fire - the chef and the customers responding to the fire flash.
4. Don't be afraid to use your camera flash - and experiment with the fill flash and the rear slow sync. flashes.
5. Shot of the reception desk - finished plates with food on it with chop sticks etc., the sign out front, any liquor bottles or bar with same and / or beverages available, the menu front itself, shot of the chefs at work - waitresses, manager, owner etc.
6. See if you can get some poses from any customers eating or drinking - having them posing for the shot.
7. Don't for get about different angles.
8. and see if you can get there before customers do to get some shots with the lights on ? - just a thought.
9. Always back up you important shot with taking it 2 ways - say without flash and then one with flash and etc......and so on.